Process and apparatus for the continuous treatment of a staple fiber band or the like with liquid



Feb. 11, 1969 w. NAEGELI 3,426,389

' PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THE CONTINUOUS TREATMENT OF A STAPLE FIBER BAND OR THE LIKE WITH LIQUID Filed Aug. 9, 1965 Sheet of'2 INVEN TOR.

WERNER N mzgsLi BY LIME. $2M- Feb.- 11, 1969 I WINAEGEU 3,426,389

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR THE CONTINUOUS TREATMENT OF A STAPLE FIBER BAND OR THE LIKE WITH LIQUID Filed Aug. 9, 1965 Sheet 2 of 2 INVENTOR. WERNER- NpgzLi %-%.KZMM W United States Patent M 11,050/64 U.S. Cl. 1966 Claims Int. Cl. DOlb 3/04 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLUSURE A process for the continuous treatment of a throughpassing staple fiber band with liquid which comprises the steps of forming a tubular-shaped staple fiber layer from the through-passing staple fiber band. The latter is then intensively passed through a guide zone which internally and externally supports the tubular-shaped staple fiber layer. Liquid is introduced into the tubular-shaped staple fiber layer after it has left the guide zone, and the staple fiber layer is extensively freed externally and internally in a freeing zone along a predetermined length. The excess liquid is permitted to flow off by free radial discharge, and then the staple fiber layer is consolidated into a compact sliver by guiding at all sides, whereafter it is subjected to a high specific surface compression which acts at all sides of the sliver. The apparatus for carrying out the inventive method incorporates means which provide a guide zone for the staple fiber band and including a substantially coaxially extending liquid conduit. Means are disposed after the guide zone for providing an extensive liquid discharge zone which is completely free at all sides, and following the liquid discharge zone there is provided means which define a consolidating zone for the staple fiber layer to form such into a compact sliver. Further, means are disposed at a location following the consolidating zone for providing a hydrodynamic pressure zone.

The present invention has reference to an improved process for the continuous treatment of a staple fiber band or sliver with liquid and also pertains to an improved apparatus for the performance of the aforesaid inventive process.

Processes are already known to the art for the treatment of staple fibers with liquids which are based upon the principle of either spraying the card web or conducting the staple fiber band or sliver through a liquid bath. However, if a web is sprayed, then the wetting action is very small. On the other hand, if the compact staple fiber band or sliver is conducted through a liquid bath then there results reduced degrees of moistening from the outside towards the inside of the sliver, completely considered apart from the air inclusions which are difficult to expel.

Specifically, it is already known to form the card web to possess a tubular shape and to introduce directly in front of the conventional calender rollers at the outlet of the carding machine a funnel at the center of the mouth of'which there terminates an axially extending tube or pipe which conducts liquid into the tubular-shaped configured fiber band or sliver. By pressing smooth calender rollers against one another the liquid is then expelled from the fiber band or sliver and forced to escape in axial direction with respect to the axes of the calender rollers and to collect laterally of the fiber band. This is disadvantageous insofar as the lateral zones of the fiber band again entrain the collected liquid, which, without fail, leads to inhomogenities in liquid distribution.

Now, it is a primary object of the present invention to 3,426,389 Patented Feb. 11., 1969 provide an improved process and apparatus for treating a staple fiber band or sliver with liquid which effectively overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages.

A further considerable object of this invention has reference to an improved process and apparatus for continuously treating a staple fiber band or sliver with liquid in order to provide effective and uniform wetting of such fiber band with such liquid, to subsequently remove the surplus liquid while reliably preventing entrainment of the thus removed liquid by the lateral regions of the fiber band.

The inventive process overcomes the indicated disadvantages in that there is proposed a process for the continuous treatment of a throughpa-ssing staple fiber layer arranged in substantially tubular configuration and full or intensive passing of the same through an inner and outer supporting guide zone as well as central introduc tion of liquid upon leaving the guide zone. Characteristic of the inventive process is that it contemplates extensive external and internal release or freeing of the fiber layer, the flowing-off of surplus liquid by means of radial free outlets, renewed consolidation or compacting of the fiber layer into a compact fiber layer or sliver by guiding at all sides, and subsequent action of a high, hydrodynamically formed, specific surface compression or pressure which is effective at all sides. This surface pressure or compression can increase to about 200 kg./cm. The high specific surface compression is dependent upon the magnitude of load coming into application and the elastic characteristics or properties of the disks employed to provide such compression.

The inventive apparatus for the continuous treatment of a stable fiber band or sliver encompasses a guide zone having a liquid conduit coaxially penetrating through such guide zone and a subsequently arranged extensive or spacious liquid discharge zone which is completely free at all sides, as well as a consolidating zone and a hydrodynamic pressure zone. The consolidating or compacting zone is preferably formed by calender roller disks and lateral closure or cover means. According to one embodiment such closure means possess a respective recess at the side facing towards the disks which merge with the converging space formed by the disks and which correspondingly narrow or converge. This recess advantageously extends to the pressure zone produced by the calender roller disks with the coaction of the lateral cover means.

By virtue of the inventive process and the apparatus employed for the performance of such process considerable advantages can be realized. First of all, it is possible to obtain very high throughpassage velocities or speeds of above 200 meters per minute. The generated hydrodynamic pressure zone permits application of such high specific surface pressure or compression, which, with dry treatment, must lead without fail to grinding or crushing of the fibers.

The inventive process renders possible an extremely exact separation of the surplus liquid from the fiber band or sliver by virtue of the effective lateral sealing or closure of the pressure zone and, thus, an absolute homogeneous liquid distribution in the fiber band or sliver. Also, all air inclusions are washed away by the liquid stream extensively escaping at all sides.

The inventive process and apparatus structure can not only serve for the introduction of liquid into a staple fiber band but can also be used for washing out substances which are already present in solution in the fiber band or sliver, as for instance, non-fixed dyestuffs, or for floating away small loose particles, such as impurities, etc.

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 schematically illustrates the preparatory formation of a web into a fiber layer or substantially tubular cross-section;

FIGURE 2 schematically illustrates the preparatory formation of a plurality of individual fiber bands or slivers into a fiber layer of substantially tubular crosssection;

FIGURE 3 schematically illustrates a preferred embodiment of inventive apparatus for the continuous treatment of a staple fiber band formed according to FIG- URES 1 or 2;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIGURE 3 taken along the lines IVIV thereof;

FIGURE 5 illustrates a conventional pair of calender rollers;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIGURE 3 taken along the lines VIVI thereof;

FIGURES 7 and 8 each illustrate the pressure zone between two cooperating disks and the corresponding pressure distribution; and

FIGURE 9 is a variant of the embodiment of apparatus depicted in FIGURE 3.

Describing now the drawings and, turning attention initially to FIGURE 1, it will be seen that a coherent web 1 formed of staple fibers is transformed in known manner into a tubular layer 2. It is also equally possible to form such a fiber layer, here designated by reference character 2, by circularly placing against one another a number of individual staple fiber bands or slivers 3, as such has been depicted in FIGURE 2. The thus formed tubular-shaped layer 2 or 2 is delivered to a guide zone A which is constructed to support the aforesaid layer at the inside and at the outside. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGURE 3, this guide zone A consists of a funnel 4 through which coaxially extends a liquid conduit 5 which piercingly extends through such funnel 4. The inner diameter of the funnel 4 and the outer diameter of the conduit 5 are chosen such that there remains a throughpassage channel 5a of sufficient size for passage of the tubular-shaped fiber layer 2 or 2'. The thickness of this fiber layer 2 or 2 is selected such that this channel is filled, that is, there results an intensive or full guiding at all sides of such throughpassing fiber layer.

Upon leaving the guide zone A the treatment liquid is introduced at approximately 0.2 to 0.4 kg./cm. atmospheric excess pressure and with a surplus of such liquid. Return flow of this liquid through the funnel 4 is made impossible due to the previously mentioned full or intensive guiding of the throughpassing material by means of the cooperating funnel 4 and tube 5. This tube or conduit 5 preferably extends past the guide zone A. Then, the fiber layer is extensively released or freed in a so-called freeing or releasing zone B at all sides, that is, at the inside as well as the outside. This allows the liquid introduced at excess pressure to flow unobtructedly through the fiber layer radially towards the outside. Selection of the excess or over-pressure in the first instance is dependent upon the compactness of the fiber layer, the thickness of the fiber layer and the quantity of excess or sur plus liquid. The length of the free ZOne B is considerably smaller than the maximum staple length of the treated fiber material, and is preferably selected to be smaller than the mean staple length. In the free zone B the liquid is correctly embedded in the fiber layer.

Upon passing the free zone B the tubular-shaped fiber layer 2 or 2' arrives at a consolidating or compacting zone C formed by a funnel 6 converging or constricting to the diameter d (FIGURE 4). Here the tubular-shaped fiber layer transforms into a compact band configuration 7, as best seen by referring to FIGURE 4. The liquid which is still located internally of the tubular-shaped fiber layer is here pushed back towards the flow of material in the free zone B where it escapes radially and, therefore, the excess liquid is completely separated from the finished treated sliver. The largest diameter of the formed, compact, approximately circular-shaped sliver cross-section upon leaving the consolidating or compacting zone C at most corresponds to the width b (FIGURE 4) of the small pressed-together disks 8, 9 withdrawing the band, i.e. dgb. For convenience in illustration, the known loading device for the disk shafts has not been illustrated. Due to guiding the tubular-shaped fiber layer in two neighboring zones A and C the fibers, so to speak, form a compact filter hose through which liquid is pressed uniformly at all sides at pressure in excess of atmospheric pressure in the free zone B.

The sliver or fiber 7 is now guided into the pressure zone D formed by the small disks 8, 9 and the lateral closure or cover plates 10, 11 at which there is hydrodynamically built-up a very high pressure, so that there is reached an average specific compression or pressure in the order of magnitude of P equals up to approximately 200 kg./cm. As readily apparent by inspecting FIG- URES 7 and 8 with an assumed loading of the disks 8, 9 such specific surface pressure or compression is dependent upon the length of the elastic deformation (flattening) of the same in the pressure zone P. The length L is, for example, considerably enlarged due to application of an elastic covering 12 at the disks for example a hard rubber cover, and the specific surface pressure or compression P reduced in comparison with a higher specific surface compression or pressure P generated by a smaller length L of elastic deformation. The smaller length L results when using rigid disks which, for instance, are formed of steel or suitable wear-resistant plastics. In the first case, depicted in FIGURE 7, there appear with the same load, bands with high moisture content, and in the second case, represented in FIGURE 8, bands with less moisture content. It will be understood that in the graphs shown in FIGURES 7 and 8, P denotes the specific pressure or compression and S the location along the sliver passing through the nip surface of the two cooperating disks.

The advantage of proceeding in the manner described resides in the fact that with conventional smooth calender rollers 13 (FIGURE 5) of larger length, the sliver 14 is pressed flat by forces which only act perpendicular to the axes of the calender rollers 13 and the laterally squeezedout liquid 15 collects. Such after leaving the nip line remains suspended at the band and again penetrates into it, so that there results an inhomogeneous liquid distribution. On the other hand, with the inventive embodiment, as best shown by referring to FIGURE 6, forces F appear at the pressure zone D which act at all sides.

In FIGURE 9 there is illustrated a variant of the apparatus of FIGURE 3 for carrying out the inventive process. In this embodiment the guide zone A, the free zone B, and the pressure zone D remain unchanged. The consolidation or grouping together of the tubular-shaped fiber layer 16 shown in phantom lines, is performed at both sides of the disks 17, 18 by a respective recess 19 opening towards the disks 17, 18 which is formed in the lateral cover or closure means 20, only one of which is shown in the drawing, i.e. the rear one, and which merges with the constricting or converging space 22 formed by the aforesaid disks 17, 18 and which recesses 19 likewise constrict or converge in accordance with the convergence of the aforesaid space 22. The extensive consolidation at all sides in the zone C in this case takes place, on the one hand, by both of the recesses 19 arranged in confronting relation and, on the other hand, by both of the disks 1'], 18. This physical construction has the advantage that the consolidating zone C and the pressure zone D'--apart from the disksconsists of only two elements, namely both of the lateral cover means or closures 20. Moreover, the recesses 19 extend to the pressure zone D.

Illustrative examples of treatment liquid which can be introduced into the tubular-shaped fiber band are set forth in my commonly assigned US. Patent 3,191,375, granted June 29, 1965, and entitled Process For The Manufacture Of A Twisted Yarn.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention it is to be distinctly understood that the invention isnot limited thereto but may otherwise variously embodied and practised within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a process for the continuous treatment of a throughpassing staple fiber band with liquid by forming a tubular-shaped staple fiber layer and intensive passage of the latter through an internally and externally supporting guide zone as well as central introduction of liquid upon leaving said guide zone, the improvement comprising the steps of: extensive external and internal freeing of the staple fiber layer along a predetermined length, allowing the excess liquid to fiow-oif by free radial discharge, consolidating the staple fiber layer into a compact sliver by guiding at :all sides, and subsequently subjecting said sliver to a hydrodynamically formed high specific surface compression which acts at all sides of said sliver.

2. In a process for the continuous treatment of a throughpassing staple fiber band as defined in claim 1 wherein said specific surface compression reaches 200 kg./cm.

3. In a process for the continuous treatment of a throughpassing staple fiber band as defined in claim 1 wherein the length along which the staple fiber layer is extensively freed is less than the maximum staple length of the fiber material.

4. In a process for the continuous treatment of a throughpassing staple fiber band as defined in claim 1 wherein the steps of consolidating the staple fiber layer into a compact sliver and subjecting the sliver to a high specific surface compression serve to completely separate the excess liquid from the treated sli ver.

5. In a process for the continuous treatment of a throughpassing staple fiber band with liquid by forming a tubular-shaped staple fiber layer and intensive passage of the latter through an internally and externally supporting guide zone as well as central introduction of liquid upon leaving said guide zone, the improvement comprising the steps of: extensive external and internal freeing of the staple fiber layer along a predetermined length, allowing the excess liquid to flow-off by free radial discharge, consolidating the staple fiber layer into a compact sliver by guiding at all sides, and subsequently subjecting said sliver to a high specific surface compression which acts at all sides of said sliver.

'6. Apparatus for the continuous treatment of a throughpassing staple fiber band with liquid, comprising means providing a guide zone for the staple fiber band including a substantially coaxially extending liquid conduit, means following said guide zone for providing a consoldatin-g zone for said staple fiber band to form such into a compact sliver, said means providing said consolidating zone being spaced from said means providing said guide zone in order to provide an extensive liquid discharge zone which is completely free at all sides, and means following said consolidating zone for providing a hydrodynamic pressure zone.

7. Apparatus for the continuous treatment of a throughpassing staple fiber band with liquid as defined in claim 6 wherein said means providing said liquid discharge zone whch is free at all sides is of a length which is smaller than the maximum staple length of the fiber material.

8. Apparatus for the continuous treatment of a throughpassing staple fiber band with liquid as defined in claim 6 wherein said means providing said liquid discharge zone which is free at all sides is of a length which is smaller than the mean staple length of the fiber material.

9. Apparatus for the continuous treatment of a throughpassing staple fiber band with liquid as defined in claim 6 wherein said means providing said consolidating zone comprises constricting funnel means.

10. Apparatus for the continuous treatment of a throughpassing staple fiber band with liquid as defined in claim 6 wherein said means providing said pressure zone incorporates at least a pair of cooperating disk members, said means providing said consolidating zone comprising funnel means converging to approximately the width of said disk members.

11. Apparatus for the continuous treatment of a throughpassing staple fiber band with liquid as defined in claim 6 wherein said means providing said hydrodynamic pressure zone comprises a pair of cooperating disk members for withdrawing the fiber material, and closure means disposed at both sides of said disk members.

12. Apparatus for the continuous treatment of a throughpassing staple fiber band with liquid as defined in claim 6 wherein said means providing said consolidating zone comprises thin disk members and a pair of lateral closure means overlapping both said thin disk members, each of said closure means being provided with a respective recess at the face directed towards said disk members, said disk members cooperating to form a converging space, said recesses communicating with said converging space and narrowing in accordance therewith.

13. Apparatus for the continuous treatment of a throughpassing staple fiber band with liquid as defined in claim 12 wherein said means providing said hydrodynamic pressure zone comprises said thin disk members and said closure means, said recesses extending up said hydrodynamic pressure zone.

14. Apparatus for the continuous treatment of a throughpassing staple fiber band with liquid as defined in claim 6 wherein said means providing at least said hydrodynamic pressure zone incorporates small disk members pressed against one another, said disk members each being provided with an elastic external ring of covering material.

15. Apparatus for the continuous treatment of a throughpassing staple fiber band with liquid as defined in claim 6 wherein said liquid conduit extends into said liquid discharge zone which is completely free at all sides.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,115,218 4/1938 Siever 19-66 MERVIN STE-1N, Primary Examiner.

DORSEY NEWTON, Assistant Examiner. 

